Groundbreaking ceremony celebrates start on site at Hawthorn Avenue new home scheme to enhance later life for over 60s

Groundbreaking ceremony celebrates start on site at Hawthorn Avenue new home scheme to enhance later life for over 60s

A traditional sod cutting has been held to mark the official launch of an exciting new housing development on Hawthorn Avenue East.

The 12-month build programme, with a contract value of nearly £5m, will provide 40 purpose built bungalows that will aim to enhance later life for the over 60s.

All homes are expected to be completed by July 2017, by housing and community regeneration specialist, Keepmoat, with the first two being handed over in January 2017 as part of a phased programme.

The new builds form part of Keepmoat’s £20m new home scheme in Hull, which will provide 229 new properties. The major regeneration project is being delivered in partnership with Pickering and Ferens Homes, Hull City Council, Places for People Homes the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

Councillor John Black, portfolio holder for housing and a trustee of Pickering and Ferens Homes, said: “Today marked the start of work on this extremely significant project, which will deliver a large number of high-quality, energy efficient and affordable homes.

“This investment and regeneration in a residential area is crucial in order for the city to thrive, as we benefit from economic growth resulting from investment by international companies including Siemens and the positive effects of Hull’s year as City of Culture 2017. This project will not only provide homes, but long-term employment opportunities for a large number of people.

“This has been under development for a long time, but this progression to the next stage is very exciting”.

Keepmoat Regional Managing Director, Mark Knight, believes the success of the work so far in Hull has been a direct result of the ongoing commitment from Keepmoat’s partners.

He said: “It was fantastic to have all representatives together to celebrate another key milestone within this project. We’d also like to thank the wider community for their ongoing trust and positivity during this development. We are wholly committed to continue investing in the local community and we are proud that 80% of our workforce on this scheme is employed from the local area.”

Pickering and Ferens Homes is also in the process of working with United Living, one of the UK’s leading providers of refurbished and new build living solutions, on the design process off 54 new purpose-built bungalows on the former David Lister School site.

Sharon Brookes, director of property services at Pickering and Ferens Homes, said: “It is a very exciting time for the association, with the progress of two significant developments allowing us to expand our portfolio and meet the rapidly-increasing demand for purpose-built housing for people in later life.

“The Hawthorn Avenue development will be quite unique in the way it looks compared to the housing associations existing schemes. We have purposely chosen four different brick and render colours for the new properties, not only to provide visually stunning properties and create a pleasant living environment but to help those suffering with dementia to easily identify their home.

“We are looking forward to working closely with our partners and local residents to successfully build much needed affordable housing, specifically for older people.”

If you are interested in any of Pickering and Ferens Homes’ new properties, you must be registered for rehousing with the council. For more information please call (01482) 223783.